MODESTE — Hyundai is set to break ground on a $5.8 billion steel mill at the Riverplex Megapark in Modeste next week as environmental groups and nearby residents push back against the site's proposed air permit.

Hyundai said the plant will use electric arc furnace technology involving recycled steel. But environmental groups are concerned the facility may potentially produce pollutants. Research Scientist Dr. Kim Terrell, with the Environmental Integrity Group, believes emissions from the plant could impact human health.

"They're asking the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality to permit them to emit more than 100 tons per year of volatile organic compounds, nearly 200 tons per year of fine particulate matter, more than 300 tons per year of sulfur dioxide," Dr. Terrell said.

Sherry White, a longtime resident of the area, said she worries about large industrial operations moving into the community.

"It's not that we're against industry in a sense. We're just against industries that come in and break up communities," White said.

White said many of her questions have gone unanswered for months.

"Nobody talked about the safety issues that are associated with it. I've been asking for months, what is the emergency evacuation plan? Nobody has been able to give us that answer," White said.

Hyundai-POSCO Louisiana Steel sent the following statement:

Hyundai-POSCO Louisiana Steel is actively working with local, state, and federal leaders to ensure we strictly adhere to all regulations on emissions, and where possible we go above and beyond to reduce or remove emissions.

After listening to feedback from the community, we revised our air permit in June to significantly decrease emissions. In addition, our site will be the world’s first steel mill of its type dedicated to automotive industries and is designed to manufacture steel products that generate 70 percent less carbon emissions than conventional methods.

Hyundai is hosting an open house Thursday, Aug. 27 at the Lemann Center in Donaldsonville at 5:30 pm. The company will break ground on the facility on Friday, Sept. 4.

The Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality is hosting a public hearing on the project and proposed air permit on Tuesday, Sept. 1 at 6 p.m. at the Lemann Center in Donaldsonville.